It might feel too early to start your Christmas shopping, but we all know being prepared for the festive season is the best way to genuinely relax and enjoy the much-needed rest at the end of the year.
To help with the mental load and save you from just buying and wrapping the classics (candles and pjs), we’ve rounded up six fun and different experiences you’ll actually want to give your friends (and maybe even tag along to yourself).
MECCA Personal Fragrance Discovery
From $75 at MECCA
Led by a MECCA Fragrance Specialist, this 12/10 gift will have you exploring notes, moods and memories to find a scent that perfectly sums up your loved one. The scent sommelier will help them refine their favourites into a custom edit.
There are two main things to love about this gift: one, the price is fully redeemable on product the day of the appointment, so they can have the experience and a new signature scent. And the other is that you can make a day of it and tag along with them to get your scent profile tailored as well.
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concerts
Running from 26th of November until 13th of December, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has four Christmas concerts to get you and your friends in the festive spirit. Starting the season off with A Classical Christmas concert on 26-28 November. Then explore the more sacred-coded music of Handel’s Messiah on 4-6 December featuring a performance deeply rooted in the MSO’s 120-year history.
If a family concert is more your vibe, the Classic Kids Christmas is on Saturday 5th December and end with everyone’s holiday favourite, Home Alone in Concert. Enjoy this watching the movie with the MSO performing the Oscar-nominated score live on 11-13 December. It’s a truly memorable experience. Christmas literally comes early with these joyful MSO performances.
“Christmas is always a special time for the MSO, and there’s something wonderful about sharing the season with our audiences. This year we’ll perform some of the great music of Christmas, from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Handel’s Messiah to James MacMillan’s extraordinary Christmas Oratorio, with the composer himself on the podium. Together, they make for a joyous musical celebration of Christmas, and one we love being part of.” – Lorraine Hook, First Violin.
Better Me Full Body Kit
From $355 at Better Me
Have a Pilates Princess in your life? Their commitment to a toned body is truly inspirational. Help them keep up the healthy habit by gifting them a full body workout kit for their home. With seriously chic weights (um, hello curved dumbbells), resistance bands, a toning ring and a Pilates ball, you’ll be stopping by constantly to get your sweat on together in the best way possible.
Whimsy Maxxing
After years of minimalist and ‘Clean Girl’ aesthetics, we’re officially in our whimsy era, and no amount of clutter can stop us.
If, like us, you and your friends want to sit in the sunshine, vino in hand and craft, then we’ve got you sorted.
Findlay The Labels Bag Charm Kit ($49.99 from Findlay The Label) is perfect to keep your hands busy while you rewatch your comfort shows or bask in the sunshine at the park. Or take a seriously curated beading workshop with Hencla.
Beads not your vibe? Glitter Gel Pen Book Club has a range of social activities from book clubs to watch clubs to keep you and your friends entertained.
Adore Beauty Facial
From $50 at Adore Beauty
We all know and love Adore Beauty’s extensive beauty offerings. But what you might have missed is since opening up IRL stores, the beauty giant has started offering customised treatments.
From sculpting to hydrating, clarifying and radiance-boosting, you know these treatments will be incredible with the lineup of cosmeceutical skincare available just steps away in store. And like the Fragrance experience, this treatment is totally redeemable: a facial and a new serum? Sign us up.
Cooking Class
From $180 at Semola
What piques the appetite more than the promise of a bottomless cooking class? Sip on spritzes while hand-making fresh pasta is what the silly season is all about. Let your inner nonna shine with Semola’s bottomless pasta-making in Sydney’s Marrickville. Transport yourself to Italy as you sip and roll, and of course enjoy your efforts afterwards. Mangia!
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